On Monday, April 30, the Department of Aging made available to prospective providers the ability to enroll via the web portal. Pharmacies, dispensing physicians and certified registered nurse practitioners will be able to use this web application to enroll in a variety of state health programs. Paper enrollment applications and agreements postmarked after Friday, May 25 will no longer be accepted. Providers submitting these documents will be contacted and directed to enroll using the portal. Additionally, beginning April 30, existing providers were able to update their information (i.e. a change in pharmacists) and enroll in additional programs using this web application. Questions may be directed to Provider Services at 1-800-835-4080.

Also in Pennsylvania…The House of Representatives voted unanimously (192-0) to advance HB 1800, legislation facilitating medication synchronization. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Eric Nelson (R), requires insurers to allow partial fills, prorated copays and payment of a full dispensing fee. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. NACDS continues to support the on-the-ground efforts of the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores to advance this legislation.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-837-4195.

On April 16, the House Insurance Committee unanimously approved HB 1800, legislation facilitating medication synchronization. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Eric Nelson (R), has 43 cosponsors. It requires insurers to allow partial fills, prorated copays and payment of a full dispensing fee. The bill is now eligible for a vote by the full House. NACDS is supporting the on-the-ground efforts of the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores to advance the bill.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

On April 16, the House Insurance Committee will consider HB 1800, legislation facilitating medication synchronization. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Eric Nelson (R), has 43 cosponsors. It requires insurers to allow partial fills, prorated copays and payment of a full dispensing fee. NACDS is supporting the on-the-ground efforts of the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores to advance the bill.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

HB 1800, legislation related to pharmacists performing medication synchronization, has been introduced with 43 co-sponsors. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Eric Nelson (R), requires insurers to allow partial fills, prorates copays and requires a full dispensing fee. Committee consideration of this legislation, an initiative of the Pennsylvania Association of Chain Drug Stores, is anticipated this spring.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

Legislation what will allow pharmacists to provide emergency 30-day refills has been signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf (D) as Act 8 of 2018. Specifically, Act 8 will allow pharmacist to provide a patient who is on a drug that is either essential to sustaining his life or to maintaining a consistent drug therapy, a 30-day refill without a prescription. Under current law, a pharmacist can only provide one refill of the prescription limited to a 72-hour supply. The act was effective upon signing.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.

SB 542, legislation that would allow a pharmacist to dispense up to a 30-day supply of medication as an emergency refill, passed both chambers unanimously and has been sent to Gov. Tom Wolf (D) for his signature. The bill amends the current statute which only allowed a 72-hour supply to be dispensed.

On December 22,2017, Gov. Tom Wolf (D) signed SB 728 into law which will allow a prescriber to forego querying the Prescription Monitoring Program database when they prescribe a nonnarcotic Schedule V controlled substance that treats an epilepsy or seizure disorder to a patient. The law will be effective 60 days from the date of signing.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.